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GUNMEN ON THE RUN

Attackers on the loose ‘with axes’ after launching gun and knife assault in Cologne city centre

One person has reportedly been injured and two suspects are on the loose

TWO gunmen are on the loose after a shocking gun and axe attack that left a man injured in Cologne's city centre.

The victim taken to hospital with stab wounds and a head injury after being attacked and shot at in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police said a number of callers reported the incident involving several people in downtown Cologne before 4am
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Police said a number of callers reported the incident involving several people in downtown Cologne before 4amCredit: AP:Associated Press
Police inspect cars at the scene where a man was stabbed and shot at in Cologne's town centre
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Police inspect cars at the scene where a man was stabbed and shot at in Cologne's town centreCredit: DPA
Police have confiscated two cars as they continue their investigations into the attack
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Police have confiscated two cars as they continue their investigations into the attackCredit: DPA

Police have since said there were no signs of a terrorist motive with eyewitnesses saying they had seen three or four people arguing on the street.

Residents also reported hearing "heavy" gunfire in Flandrischenstrasse as well as men carrying axes on Flanders Road.

A 34-year-old victim was reportedly involved in the confrontation and was stabbed in the thigh.

The man was shot at as he attempted to flee the scene in a white Mercedes, .

When police arrived, the city centre was sent into lockdown with officers finding shattered glass, blood stains and several gun cartridge cases at the crime scene.

 

 

As he tried to escape, the suspects then tried to shoot out the car's windows and tyres.

The victim managed to drive down the road but was stopped by police before he received initial treatment at the scene by emergency services.

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Police have released a statement saying they discovered a blood-splattered scene
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Police have released a statement saying they discovered a blood-splattered sceneCredit: AP:Associated Press
Forensics have secured evidence at the scene after being called to reports of a flurry of gunshots and an argument
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Forensics have secured evidence at the scene after being called to reports of a flurry of gunshots and an argumentCredit: DPA

Local police released a statement, saying an investigation into the grievous bodily harm had been launched.

Police have since seized two cars which could be linked to the crime.

The possible motive for the attack is unknown.

One suspect was stopped by police in Habsburgring with another being apprehended at Moltkestrasse.

Two suspects are still on the loose.

Police rushed to the scene of the attack which saw one man stabbed in the thigh and Cologne's city centre sent into lockdown
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Police rushed to the scene of the attack which saw one man stabbed in the thigh and Cologne's city centre sent into lockdownCredit: Twitter
The victim tried to escape the scene in his Mercedes, with his tyres shot out
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The victim tried to escape the scene in his Mercedes, with his tyres shot outCredit: Twitter

Interpol has now been alerted to be on the lookout for the men believed to have been involved in the attack.

The area is well-known for red light business, drug pushing and money laundering with the city also becoming a focus of anti-refugee sentiment after the mass sexual assault of hundreds of women by gangs of marauding immigrant men on New Year's Eve last year.

Germany has been on high alert after a string of attacks in the summer, including when teenager Ali David Sonboly killed nine people in Munich on July 23.

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